The Latest on a Potential Celtics Extension with Jrue Holiday

Landing Jrue Holiday was a counterpunch to the Bucks acquiring Damian Lillard, a response the Celtics believe bolsters their chance of scaling the NBA's summit.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis suited up for their first game with the Celtics.

The former came off the bench to log 22 minutes, registering six points, five rebounds, and two steals. The latter, who started alongside Al Horford in the front court, generated 17 points and five rebounds.

After Boston's 114-106 win over the 76ers, both couldn't get over the atmosphere at TD Garden for an exhibition contest.

"It felt good. The crowd's crazy. The energy in the building is crazy. First preseason game, so it was fun to get out there and (to) get my feet wet," conveyed Holiday.

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) shoots during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden.

"It was insane for a preseason game," Porzingis expressed at the podium post-game. (It was a) fun game to play in; (a) fun game to watch when Payton Pritchard was going off at the end. I don't know what to say. I'm happy to be a Celtic, I'm not gonna lie."

Both got brought in by an organization willing to reshape its roster's core, parting with stalwarts and beloved franchise members Marcus Smart and Robert Williams in trades it believes bolster the franchise's chances of capturing Banner 18.

The Celtics worked quickly to extend their seven-foot-three former All-Star after acquiring him, tacking on two years and $60 million to Porzingis' contract.

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed (44) during the first half at TD Garden.

At Holiday's introductory press conference at the Auerbach Center, ownership and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens made clear the intention is for this to be a long-term partnership with the five-time All-Defensive Team selection.

In a recent appearance on CLNS Media's Celtics Beat, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe shared the following with hosts Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti about Boston's extension talks with the two-time All-Star.

"It seems, talking to people on both sides, that it's very much the plan," said Himmelsbach. "He has to wait six months to sign an extension, so I think April 2 is the exact day he would be eligible for one, but I would suspect them to figure something out; this isn't a Jrue Holiday rental."

The Celtics have already shown they're willing to go over the second apron, and owner Wyc Grousbeck said at Holiday's introductory press conference, "I look at the next six years as a real opportunity for us."

Keeping the former UCLA Bruin, who's already been a central figure in a team lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy, in Boston long-term is a significant step towards maximizing that six-year window.

Further Reading

Jrue Holiday Shares His Thoughts on Celtics Debut

Kristaps Porzingis Comments on Preseason Debut with Boston Celtics

Battle-Tested Payton Pritchard's Emerged Confident, Committed, and Now, Contractually Secure: 'I Won't Let It Ever Break Me'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. 76ers: Extended Run for Top 6, Payton Pritchard Leads Comeback

Sensing Celtics' Excitement, Intensity, Paul Pierce Believes Jrue Holiday's 'The Missing Piece'

From Envisioning Being a Buck for Life to Joining Top Rival, Jrue Holiday's Ready to Help Celtics Get Where He's Already Been

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Determined to Deliver Banner 18, Jayson Tatum's 'Looking Forward to Doing More, And So Should Everybody Else"

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball